CHILDRENS MINISTRY

The Children’s Ministry Program at WOLCF is designed to assist parents in raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord by helping to build godly foundations through sound biblical teaching and fun activities in a loving and nurturing environment.

MISSION AND VISION

Consistent with the WOLCF vision, the mission of the children’s program is loving God, loving people and loving the nations. In short, our mission is to equip children to know, grow, and show God’s love. Aspects of our children’s program that accomplish this mission include:

Teaching children Biblical truths in fun and creative ways in a nurturing and loving environment

Praying for children’s needs and concerns

Providing special programs where children can interact, have fun and express their giftings

Sending cards and letters to help encourage the children of missionaries sent by WOLCF, etc.

The vision of the children’s program at WOLCF is that the children will grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Our anticipation is that the children in our program will grow up to love and serve the Lord through the local church. Many of the current teachers and assistants and several members of the WOLCF worship team were former children in our program. In addition, several of our teens who were children in our program have gone on short-term mission trips and have helped out at Rochester’s Flower City Program.

CORE PROGRAM

Age-specific Classes on Sunday Mornings

WOLCF holds age-specific classes on Sunday mornings during the sermon for children ages 2 years old through grade 8. The curricula for our classes are age-specific and designed to present the truths of the Word of God in a loving and nurturing manner. WOLCF is blessed to have teachers and assistants on Sunday mornings that include pastoral staff members, elders and their wives, former missionaries, members of the worship team, young adults who themselves were in the children’s program at WOLCF, Elim Bible School students, and current and former school and home school teachers. WOLCF believes that the combination of age-specific classes, excellent curricula, and dedicated teachers and assistants provides a firm foundation for assisting parents in raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Kid’s Club

WOLCF is also pleased to host Kid’s Club for children in grades K-5. Kid’s Club meets from 6:00-7:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, and was started to provide a Sunday evening activity for young children while teens are at the WOLCF youth group. Parents are welcome to stay and observe or to participate in Kid’s Club. Activities focus on different countries and cultures around the world, and children learn what life is like in these countries, what types of things the children do, and how we can pray for the people of that nation. In addition, there are also special activities in Kid’s Club. For example, every year we pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Special Summer Sunday Morning Program

WOLCF typically holds a special summer program for children aged 4 through grade 5 during the Sunday morning service. The summer program curricula typically focuses on a specific topic such as the book of Genesis or God’s Creation and includes special crafts, special decorations, activities, skits, music, snacks, etc. Activities have included, for example, having children plant and care for a Bible garden at WOLCF.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Annual Summer Children’s Program Picnic

For several years, WOLCF has hosted an annual summer picnic for children, parents, and teachers and assistants in the children’s program at WOLCF. The annual picnic is also open to everyone at WOLCF. Picnics have typically been held at Henrietta park sites with playground equipment for young children, and games have also been organized for the children. The WOLCF annual children’s picnic is a time set aside for fun and fellowship.

Christmas and Easter Programs

WOLCF has also held special children’s programs for Easter and Christmas. These have involved a children’s choir, special musical performances by children, and actual plays. We are grateful for the enthusiastic volunteers who make this happen at WOLCF. These programs have been a treasure of memories for the children, parents, their families and everyone at WOLCF.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

From time to time, the WOLCF Children’s Program has included the following additional activities: Harvest Party, Vacation Bible School, Sponsorship of a child in the Middle East, Pinewood derby car races for children as part of missions month